South Korea Militant Democracy 2026: The Thin Line Between Protection and Erosion

Can a democracy destroy itself in the name of saving it? One year after the failed martial law declaration by former leader Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea's political fabric is tearing under the weight of what experts call 'militant democracy.'

The Crisis of South Korea Militant Democracy 2026

According to Joseph Yi of Hanyang University and Wondong Lee of Inha University, writing for Nikkei, the nation's transition to a more aggressive stance against internal perceived threats is backfiring. While President Lee Jae-myung marked the anniversary of the December 3 incident with calls for vigilance, critics argue that liberal democratic norms are being steadily hollowed out.

Militant democracy was designed as a defensive shield for the state. However, in the current South Korean context, it's being used to justify the marginalization of political opponents. This trend suggests a slide toward a new form of authoritarianism where legal mechanisms are weaponized for partisan survival rather than institutional integrity.

Polarization and the Legacy of Martial Law

The ghost of the 2024 martial law attempt continues to haunt Seoul. The extreme polarization following the event has paralyzed the legislature and turned the judiciary into a battlefield. It's no longer just about policy differences; it's about the existential survival of political factions.